From the crime-ridden streets of Kraaifontein in Cape Town, community advocates brought their voices to the global stage. Five representatives from three local non-profit organizations travelled to Johannesburg last week to ensure that the struggles of vulnerable Kraaifontein communities reached the highest levels of decision-making at the G20 Civil Society Summit.
The organisations represented were the Tanelle Welff Ministries and Foundation (TWM Foundation), South African Military Veterans Agency (SAMVA) and the African Religious and Traditional Leaders Council (ARTLC).
The summit brought together approximately 5 000 civil society leaders, experts, and grassroots activists from South Africa and internationally. The Kraaifontein delegates amplified community voices in policy discussions addressing critical issues including Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) — which has received national priority status — domestic violence, elder abuse, gang violence, substance abuse, disability rights, and outstanding military veterans benefits.
President Ramaphosa accepted a declaration from community groups across the country. He said their recommendations would be included in G20 plans and praised their work. Ramaphosa promised the G20 process would continue despite political pressure from influential nations.
In the same manner we contributed to South Africa’s liberation more than 30 years ago, we again unite as active citizens behind a common goal for emancipation of communities who remain disadvantaged and oppressed.
Following the event, Welff-Dixon, the founder of TWM Foundation and well-known women’s rights activist told TygerBurger she was honoured to share local and lived experiences. government policy.
“We are reaping the fruits of our labour through ongoing prayer, lobbying, advocacy efforts and inputs during the P20 Women’s Parliament. The realities faced by women, children and people with disabilities in the greater Kraaifontein area, the Western Cape and country — especially gang violence, substance abuse and GBVF were central to contributions at the G20 Summit. In the same manner we contributed to South Africa’s liberation more than 30 years ago, we once again unite as active citizens behind a common goal for emancipation of communities who remain continually disadvantaged and oppressed,’’ she said.
Retired nurse Ruth Petersen and community elder Linda Solomon highlighted the lived experiences of victims in Kraaifontein communities, both stressing the need for stronger enforcement of laws meant to protect vulnerable people, with Solomon emphasizing that “the justice system and police must deliver quicker and more effective responses for victims of abuse.
Community leaders speak out
Pastor Garrif Albertyn addressed elder abuse, highlighting that the elderly face serious barriers when trying to claim their rights, noting that applying for protection orders remains “slow and unfair.”
Pastor Clint Dixon spoke on disability rights, emphasizing that discrimination continues to be ignored as the disabled still have to work 10 times harder to prove our worth and value.
Dixon noted that including the disability sector in the G20 Summit created a platform to address stigma, amplify voices, and highlight the healthcare access challenges facing people with disabilities.
Welff-Dixon, also a military veteran and Chaplain for SAMVA urged that outstanding benefits for military veterans be prioritized urgently as stipulated in the Military Veterans Act and highlighted the plight of whistleblowers and challenges all military veterans face and not just certain races who fought for liberation.
More than 300 civil society organizations from the Western Cape were scheduled to attended. Despite the disappointment that several countries chose to withdraw from the 2025 G20 Summit, the Western Cape representatives remained committed to ensure their communities were represented.
